Adjustable window-curtain.



R. G. CLARK. ADjUSTABLE WINDOW CURTAIN.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-31. 1916.

Patented APT. 9, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

R. (5. CLARK. ADJUSTABLE WINDOW CURTAIN.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.3I. I916.

Patented A r. 9, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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R. G.'CLARK.

ADJUSTABLE'WINDOW CURTAIN.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-31.1916.

Patent d Apr. 9, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

m w w w R. G. CLARK.

ADJUSTABLE WINDOW CURTAIN.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-31.1916

Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHFET 4 eerie ROBERT G. CLARK, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE ADJUSTRITE COMPANY, INC. OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ADJUSTABLE WINDOVT-CURTAIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

Application filed August 31, 1916. Serial No. 117,823.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. ROBERT G. CLARK. a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and

tate of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Adjustable VVindow- Curtains, of which the following is a description.

This invention relates to means for dressing windows, doors, or other openings in buildings, and particularly has reference to window-shades and curtains and the means and devices useful for the purpose of raising and lowering the same.

Among the objects of my invention may be noted the following: To provide simple, effective and durable means for raising and lowering curtains of all kinds, whether on windows, doors, or other openings; to provide a means by which raising and lowering curtains are rendered effective, certain and easy by the manipulation of simple devices arranged in cooperative relation with the curtains; to provide a novel form of frictionblock for curtain-cords; and to provide certain details of construction and devices by which the foregoing objects are attained.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I have provided drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a windowframe provided with my invention, the view being broken both vertically and transversely in order to curtail the same;

Fig. 2 is a top-plan view of the channelbars and corner-blocks arranged in cooperative relation, the view being broken in the middle to curtail the same;

Fig. 3 is a bottom-plan view of the structure of Fig. 2, sectioned on line 38, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section substantially on the line l4e of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective of a portion of the top channel-bar;

Fig. 6 is a perspective of a portion of one of the side channel-bars;

Fig. 7 is a top-plan of the left cornerblock;

Fig. 8 is a plan of the block of Fig. 7 turned over onequarter to the right;

Fig. 9 is a bottom-plan of the block of Fig. 7; r

Fig. 10 is a plan of the reverse of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a top-plan of the right cornerblock;

Fig. 12 is a view illustrative of various ways in which the curtain may be disposed according to, and through the medium of, my invention;

Fig. 13 is a section substantially on the line 13-18 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail of the operatordand cooperating parts shown in Fig. 13; an

Fig. 15 is a section substantially on the line 15-15 of Fig. 1.

This invention is an improvement on that of U. S. patent to Barnard, No. 1,177.918, April 4, 1916, and embodies constructional features which do away with the weights, stops and pulleys shown in said patent, and provide improved features which tend to cheapness of production, effectiveness in operation, strength and durability.

Referring to the drawings, the-numeral 1, Fig. 1, indicates the sill of an ordinary window, the sash-frames of which have been omitted in order to avoid confusion and simplify the illustration of the present invention, a broken line indication in Figs. 1 and 4, however, being given of the top sashframe, the same being indicated by 2. 3 is the top window-sash and 4 is the bottom window-sash; or, if the invention be applied to a door-frame, the same may indicate the upper and lower portions of the door.

The top channel-bar 5 is provided with a plurality of apertures 6, for the reception of screws 7, or other fastening means by which said channel-bar may be secured to the topframe of the sash-frame, see Figs. 2 to 5. The opposite ends of this channel-bar are extended, as at 8, beyond the side-flanges 9 thereof, and adjacent the front edge of said extensions 8 elongated slots 10 may be provided, through which screws 11 work for the purpose of securing the right and left corner-blocks 12 and 13 to the extensions 8. The channel-bar and blocks make the primary unit of my structure. The screws 11 enter screw-threaded apertures 14: of said blocks, see Figs. 7 and 11. By this means, the blocks may be primarily secured to the top channel-bar 5 and the structure, as aunit,

3; and, if it be found that the blocks are not set in place, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and accurately set for the distance between the side sash-frames, adjustment can be readily made by loosening the screws 11 and tapping the blocks one way or the other.

bide channel-bars are provided to extend longitudinally of the sash-frame, with the lower end of each of said side channel-bars resting upon the sill 1. Details of the side channel-bars are shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 6, l3 and 14, wherein 15 is the side which is secured in suitable manner, as by screws 16, to the side window-frames. 17 is the back member which abuts the end of inner flange 9, the latter being secured to a corner-block 12 or 13, by means of a screw 19 passing through the slot 20 and into the hole 19 in one end of the corner-blocks. 21 is the front member provided with the angularly-arranged portions 22 and 23, the latter being a flange adapted to set behind the front flange 9 of the top channel-bar, as at 24, Fig. 3. The angular member 22 is provided with a T-shaped extension or guide 25, extending longitudinally of the said side channel-bar and which is adapted to be received in a similarly-shaped slot in the corner-blocks, as presently described. The side channel-bars are the secondary units of my structure and can be readily set in place and secured to the primary unit as rights and lefts, as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

The corner blocks, which form a part of the primary unit of my structure, have most features in common; but, by reason of the mode of adjustment of the cords and the universality of disposition of the shade or curtain, the right and left blocks differ in some small details, as will now be described. Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, illustrate four positio'ns of the left corner-block, while Fig. 11 illustrates the operative position of the right corner block. The corner-blocks are rectangular in form and the left cornerblock, in its top surface, is provided with a groove 26, which begins at the right side of the block, extends toward the left side thereof, turns substantially at a right-angle, and then extends obliquely, as at 26, toward the front of the block, and terminates in a vertical aperture 27, extending from top to bottom of the block. Another groove 28 starts at the right side of the block and extends parallel with the groove-portion 26 and culminates in a vertical aperture 29, extending through the block. A third groove 30 extends from a vertical aperture 31, near the bend of the groove 26 and :26 and obliquely toward the front right corner of the block, where it terminates in a vertical aperture 32.. These several grooves and apertures are deep and smooth and wellrounded so as to enable the cords, presently '-'deseribed, to slide freely therein with-comparatively' little friction, although, as. :Will

be presently shown, some friction is desirable for operative purposes. The left block 13 is also provided with the oblong aperture 33, extending from top to bottom there of and adapted to receive the head 25 of the T-shaped extension on the member 22 of the side channel-bar. A. vertical slot 34 is also cut into the right side of the block 13, adjacent the aperture 14, the same being for the reception of the end 35 of the front member 9 of the top channel-bar, and this slot is extended across the top of the block as a shallow groove 36, for the reception of the depending flange 37, on the front edge of the extension .8, of the top channel-bar, see Figs. 2 and 5.

Viewing Fig. 8, which represents the block of Fig. 7 turned one-quarter to the right, it will be seen that the top surface of the block, in which the various grooves are disposed, is provided with two levels, the lower level being indicated by 38, which is for the reception of the extension 8, of the top channeLbar, so that when said block is secured to said extension, the top of the latter and the surface 39, will be flush and will in consequence fit snugly and evenly against the top windowframe member. The part 40, of the block, is the depending or bottom portion in which the slot 33, is formed and which is made sufficiently extensive to receive the upper end of the T-shap'ed flange or extension 25 of the side channel-bar, see Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 9, which is the bottom of the block of Fig. 7, shows that the bottom of the block is substantially smooth though in two levels on account of the depending portion 40. Fig. 10, shows the block in the reverse of Fig. 8 or the right side of the block of Fig. 7, and all the features thereof are now clearly understood. This figure shows substantially the depth of the grooves 26 and 28.

The right corner block 12, is shown in Fig. 11, and is in all respects the same as the left corner-block 13, excepting that the grooves and apertures in the top surface thereof are differently disposed in order to carry out the desired raising and lowering functions of the manipulating cords as presently described. In this figure, a groove 41 starts at the left side of the block and extends toward the right side, having a turn about midway of the block and extending a short distance toward the front thereof as at 42, the groove terminating in the aperture 43, extending through the block from top to bottom. Another groove 44, extends-from the left side of the block with a bend a short distance from said side and then extends toward the front of the block, terminating in an aperture 45, extending vertically from top to bottom of the block.

A third groove 46, extends from a point be-g tweenthe othertwo grooves and about mid-- way of the block, and from an aperture 47 terminating near the front of the block in an aperture 48, both of which apertures extend vertically through the block. Adjacent the groove 46, the aperture 14, is provided for the screw 11, which passes through the slot 10, by which the block is secured to the extension 8 of the top channel-bar. An oblong aperture 49, similar to the one 33, in the block 13, is provided for the reception of the head 25, of the T-shaped extension of the side channel-bar. A slot 50, similar to the slot 34, in the block 13, is providedfor the same purpose, as is also a groove 51, similar to the groove 36 in the block 13.

For raising and lowering the shade or curtain two actuators are employed, the same being made as rights and lefts as shown in Fig. 1. They are identical in structure, so that a description of one will answer for both; and, referring to Figs. 13 and 14, it will be seen that the actuator consists of the elongated curved portion 53, made tubular more or less of its length, for containing a weight or heavy filling 54. The actuatoris at its inner side provided with a T-shaped slot 55, adapted to receive the T-shaped extension 25 of the side channelbar, said slot 55 being formed with a removable wall 56, secured by screws 57, to the actuator. Thus the actuator can be readily applied to and removed from the side channel-bar whenever required. The grooved portion of the actuator is provided with apertures 58, through which the manipulating cords are extended as presently described. For insertion or removal of the filling or weight 54, the actuator at its upper end may be provided with an ornamental cap or closure 59, which may be screwed into place or frictionally applied.

Viewing Figs. 1, 13 and 15, it will be seen that the curtain 60 is formed into a number of plaits to make an extensible and collapsible accordion structure. The upper and lower ends are extended between bars 61, which clamp the said curtain tightly when said bars are set within the spring clamp or holder 62; that is to say, the holder 62, is a hollow rectangle split longitudinally, to provide an opening through which the material of the curtain may extend into coiiperation with the clamping bars 61, and when said bars are inserted within the spring-clamp, they will be together with the curtain, securely held. The adjacent edges of the clamp will also engage the curtain material. When it is desired to renew or change the curtain, top and bottom clamps 62, are brought together as closely as possible and the entire structure is then tilted at one end, so as to raise the same within one of the side channelmembers to withdraw the structure from the latter. Then the bars 61, can be removed from the clamp members 62, and the curtain edges released. Another curtain may then be secured in place as will be readily understood. A cord and tassel 63, is secured to the bottom of each of the actuators by which to operate the curtains when said actuators are raised too high to be grasped by the hand. If the actuators are within reach, however, it will be quite natural to grasp the same for the purpose of raising or lowering the curtain; and it will be understood that the angular disposition of the actuators, as mounted upon the T-shaped guides 25, and the angular relation of said guides to the side channel-bars, places said actuators in position to enable them to be readily grasped for the purpose of operating the curtains.

Now referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 12, the mode of operation of my invention will 'be readily understood, and, referring to Fig.

12, it will be seen that the shade, curtain or screen may be adjusted to any position desired; that is to say, it may be adjusted wholly at the bottom or wholly at the top of the opening, window or door; it may entirely cover the latter, or maybe adjusted so as to cover the upper half, or the lower half, or any intermediate portion and to any extent desired. Now viewing Figs. 1, 2 and 3, cord 64 will be seen to be secured in any suitable manner to the right-hand actuator 53, and to extend upwardly through the same and through the aperture 48 of the right corner block 12, and thence downwardly through the aperture 47 of said block, within the right-side channel-bar, through the top clamp 62 and curtain and secured in any suitable manner to the bottom clamp of the curtain as at 65. Another cord 66, is secured in any suitable manner to the right-hand actuator and extends upwardly through the same and through the aperture 45, of the right corner-block, and thence to the left in the groove 44 and within the top channel-bar to the left cornerblock, passing through groove 28 and downwardly through the aperture 29, and thence downwardly within the left side channelbar, through the top clamp-bar 62, and the curtain and then secured to the bottom clamp bar as at 67, in any suitable manner. By these media, the bottom clamp-bar may be primarily lifted and the entire curtain raised, it being possible to raise the curtain bodily into any position desired from bottom to'top of the window, by merely drawing downwardly upon the right hand actuator or its tassel cord 63. The left hand actuator has secured thereto, in any suitable manner, a cord 68, which extends upwardly through the actuator, through the aperture 32 in the left hand block, and downwardly through aperture 31 of said block and within the left side ohannel bar to the top clamp bar of the curtain, to which bar it is secured as at 69, in any suitable manner. The left hand actuator also has secured thereto in any suitable manner, a cord 70, which extends upwardly through the actuator and through the vertical aperture 27 of the left corner block, and thence through the grooves 26 and 26 of said block, and then extends through the top channel-bar to the right corner block, entering the same through the groove 41, and extending downwardly through the aperture 43 of said block and through the right side channelbar to the top curtain clamp, to which it is secured as at 71 in any suitable manner. By these media, the top bar of the curtain, together with the curtain and the lower bar may be lifted by pulling down on the left hand actuator, so as to raise the top bar and the curtain to the full or a partially extended position. By manipulating either one or the other of the actuators, the curtain or shade can be raised and lowered into any of the positions shown in Fig. 12, and to many other positions as will be readily understood. The various cords, the runs of which have been just described, liev in the deep grooves of the right and left corner blocks and cling thereto with considerable friction, and yet with not sufficient friction as to prevent the ready and free manipulation or raising and lowering of the curtain.

By reason of this frictional engagement of.

the cords, in the various grooves, extending between and continuing the several apertures, the actuators do not have to be made very heavy, since the frictional engagement of the cords in the grooves of the several blocks and the weight of the actuators will support the curtain, regardless of its weight, in any desired position. It will, therefore, be understood that the actuators are weighted only to an extent sufficient to counterbalance the weight of the curtain, including its top and bottom bars, taking into consideration the frictional engagement of the cords with the corner blocks. Hence, the structure of the actuators, which enables a weight of any desired amount to be inserted therein through the top thereof, by removing the cap 59.

Stress is laid upon the fact that in accordance with my invention, frictional devices are employed as a part of the primary unit of the structure in contradistinction to antifrictional devices, such as pulleys or other movable devices which would enable the cords to readily run and freely slide. Furthermore, stress is laid upon the fact that the actuators are merely counterbalancing devices and are notin any sense automatic operating means, since in addition to their form and disposition, which enables them to "be readily grasped, they simply operate to sustain the weight of the curtain and its top and bottom bars as a counterbalance, and to enable the very easy manipulation of the cords, notwithstanding the frictional engagement thereof with the corner blocks. Stress is also laid upon the fact that to raise and lower the curtain, one or the other of the actuators has simply to be drawn downwardly, this operation resulting in drawing the other one upwardly under certain conditions, as shown in Fig. 12; and the ma nipulation of the actuators, together with the connections of the cords with the curtain as described, enables the latter to be raised and lowered uniformly from side to side of the window, door or opening, thus always maintaining the curtain in the proper position, and in consequence avoiding friction of the ends of the curtain and its clamps, within the side channel-bars. According to the material used in the curtain, the actuators will be weighted, to produce the countel-balancing effect, and when a heavy curtain is substituted for a light curtain, a little more weight would be added to the actuators by dropping the same therein, after removing the cap 59. If a light curtain is substituted'for a heavy one, sufficient weight will be removed from the actuators.

To set my structure in place, it is only necessary to apply the corner-blocks to the top channel bar, and then screw this unit to the top sash-member of the window or door. Then the side channel-bars are set in place. The cords may be laced through the blocks, either before or after the units are secured in place, since the grooves and apertures are smooth, and it is only necessary to push the cord, which is usually of stiff material, into the proper aperture. After the cords have been laced through the several blocks, they can be readily attached to the'curtain, and the latter then set in place by an operation, the reverse of that described for removing the same from the side channel-bars. A

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a curtain, side channel-bars for guiding the ends of the curtain, a plurality of friction imposing corner-blocks having grooves therein extending at angles to each other, said blocks being arranged in operative relation to said channel-bars, lifting cords attached to the top and bottom of the curtain and liding through said grooves for frictionally guiding the cords through the corner-blocks, and means by which to raise and lower the curtain through the medium of said cords and act as a partial counterbalance for the weight of the curtain,

2. In ombination with a curtain, guiding means for the ends thereof, means for rais ing and lowering the curtain including cords and actuator therefor which latter also act as a partial counterbalance for the curtain, and means, including corner-blocks having a plurality of angularly arranged grooves therein for guiding the cords and producing friction thereon, whereby control of the curtain may be obtained when it is raised or lowered.

3. In combination with side channel-bars, forming guides for a curtain, a unit structure composed of a top channel-bar, provided with fixed friction-producing blocks at its opposite ends, the said unit structure connecting the guiding means and interacting with the same to form guiding means for curtain manipulating cords.

4. In combination with a curtain of predetermined weight, guiding means for the ends thereof, cords attached to the curtain for raising and lowering the same, positive friction-producing means for guiding the cords, and weighted actuators connected to the cords, the weight of the actuators, plus the friction of the guiding means upon the cords, substantially counterbalancing the weight of the curtain whereby to produce easy manipulation of the curtain.

5. An actuator for curtain-raising means, comprising a hollow body having a weight held therein, and having a guiding-slot therein, one of the Walls of which slot is formed by a removable plate, and means for securing said plate removably to the actuator.

6. A block for curtain-raising means, comprising a rectangular body, having in one of its surfaces a plurality of grooves arranged at an angle to each other, each terminating in one or more apertures extending through the body of the block at an angle to the groove.

7. A block for curtain-raising means, composed of a rectangular body, having in one of its surfaces a plurality of curved grooves arranged at an angle to each other, each terminating in an aperture extending through the body of the block at an angl to the roove.

8. A block for curtain-raising means, comprising a rectangular body, having in eac of its surfaces a curved groove and a straight groove at an angle to each other, each of said grooves terminating in an aperture extending through the body of the block at an angle to the groove.

9. A block for curtain-raising means, composed of a rectangular body, having a plurality of groove arranged at an angle to each other, and which grooves terminate at a flat wall or face of the block.

ROBERT G. CLARK.

tiopies oi thia patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 6." 

